Gallic acid

Synonyms

3,4,5-Trihydroxybenzoic acid; Benzoic acid, 3,4,5-trihydroxy-; Gallic acid, tech.; Kyselina 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoova [Czech]; Kyselina gallova [Czech]; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Benzoic Acid Derivatives

Description

Colorless or slightly yellow solid; [Hawley] White hygroscopic solid; [ICSC] White or cream colored powder; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used to make gallic acid esters, tannins, paper, pyrogallol, and inks; as photographic developer; in tanning and dyeing; to test for free mineral acids, dihydroxyacetone, and alkaloids; in pharmaceuticals; in engraving of lithography; as an analytical reagent; and as a veterinary antidiarrheal; [HSDB]

Comments

No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; [ICSC] A skin and eye irritant; [HSDB] A skin, eye, nose, and throat irritant; [CAMEO] In animal experiments, causes changes to liver and kidneys; Oral LD50 (rabbit) = 5000 mg/kg; [RTECS] An irritant; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

1.19E-07 mm Hg

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Photographic Processing
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)